Sunday, May 2, 2010

Jo Davis brings another Firefighter to the Lair!

interview with Suz

Suz: Welcome back to the Bandit Lair, Jo. I can't believe we're on the fourth book of this series.

You know, not long ago I had to call the paramedics for a family emergency and boy, not only did they send me two paramedics, but four extra guys rode in on the big quint! Sigh. It was almost worth calling them, just to see theses six BIG, sexy, handsome, uh?did I mention BIG firefighters walk into my house! I swear I was looking at your firefighter crew from Station Five! As inappropriate as it would've been, I sooooo wanted to just reach out and caress one or two or all of them.

Suz: How did you ever envision this group? Did they appear one at a time or all at once?

Jo: First, thanks so much to the Bandits for having me back today! I always love to visit and chat with this group! You guys are so much fun. To answer your question, the Station Five guys simply walked into my office one day and demanded that their stories be told. Like your firemen/paramedics that came to your house the other day, they were big, sexy, and oh-so-yummy. Who was I to deny their request?

Suz, staring at the new cover and fanning herself: So...uh...yeah... in book #4, LINE OF FIRE, you're letting us see the youngest of the A crew, Tommy Skyler. By all appearances, Tommy lives a charmed life, doesn't he?

Jo: It would seem he does, and that's what most of his buddies think. But Tommy is still reeling from the repercussions a very painful, tragic family loss. This event changed the direction of his life and now he's questioning the choices he's made since then-including his decision to become a firefighter. He's afraid he made that choice for all the wrong reasons and gave up too soon on his dream of playing for the NFL.

Suz: Tommy met his heroine Shea Ford in an earlier book. What kept them apart all this time?

Jo: Shea wants Tommy for her own, but she's using the excuse that he's too immature to keep him at arm's length. She's not really that much older than him, only five years older, and her excuse doesn't wash. The truth is, Shea is gun-shy from a terrible mistake she made years ago, one that still haunts her. Tommy reminds her of that error and trusting a man is very hard for her to do.

Suz: How does he win her attention and do things go smoothly for them?

Jo, saying with that mischevious twinkle in her eye: Now, I can't tell you how he gets her motor running...the readers will have to find out for themselves. But I will say that the road to happiness is anything but smooth. Some real obstacles are going to stand in their way, both from within themselves and from a tragic event.

Suz: Without giving anything away, what do you feel makes this book different to the series? (You can hint that there's a change to the team dynamics, if you want.)

Jo: The tragic event I referred to before sets this book apart from the others. Readers who have followed the series know that Captain Sean Tanner is headed for real disaster. This book is pivotal in changing the lives of everyone on the team forever?Sean's and Tommy's lives in particular. Have tissues handy, folks.

Excerpt:

Grabbing Shea's hand, Tommy pulled her into the throng and spun her to face him before she could protest further. He made it appear easy, just to throw caution to the wind and let loose.

Like liquid, molten sex.

"I'm not that great a dancer," she said, raising her voice to be heard above the music. Trying to match his graceful moves, she felt like a dork.

One strong arm snaked around her waist, pulled their hips together. He rocked against her, his unmistakable hardness pressing into her belly. "Believe me, you're doing fine."

Her cheeks blazed. She wasn't some simpering virgin-far from it-but the man caught her off guard at every turn. And Tommy was a man, not a boy. No doubt whatsoever, if there ever had been.

As they moved, the friction of their bodies setting her on a slow burn, she watched his face. Studied the nuances. There was no trace of the young, carefree charmer in evidence now. In his place was a man she'd never seen before. A man completely confident of his intentions, his crystal eyes dark with desire. One who made her blood quicken, her soul cry out to answer his unspoken challenge, to be his.

The fast song ended, abruptly snapping her from the spell. Thinking to make a quick getaway, she stepped back, but he caught her hand.

"This next one, too. Please?"

The soft, pretty opening to "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts began, one of her favorite songs. She paused for a couple of beats and, apparently taking her hesitation as a yes, he enveloped her in his arms. Began to sway gently, big hands spread over her back, chin resting on top of her head. In spite of her qualms, she felt herself melt in to him, soaking up his strength.

Warm. Intoxicating. Incredible.

Like coming home.

"God, it feels so good to finally hold you," he whispered into her hair.

She didn't answer. Couldn't, not when her senses, every barrier she'd erected between them, were under toe-curling assault. Searching for the right response, she lifted her head to meet his gaze.

Instead, his lips brushed hers. A sensual glide that wasn't a tentative question, but a warning. Electrifying her to the core.

His fingers brushed down her cheek. "Pretty baby."

And he claimed her mouth then, kissed her like a man kisses a woman when he means business. When he wants her no matter the cost, above all others. Whatever it takes.

His tongue tangled with hers and she whimpered, unable to help herself. He tasted so good and she wanted to slide under his skin, stay there forever. Wrapped up in him. The party, the guests, vanished as the kiss went on and on. It might as well have been the two of them locked in their own world, free of doubts and unwanted baggage. For the first time in more than a decade she felt protected and safe.

But she'd been wrong before.

Suz: So what's next for the Firefighter series?

Jo: LINE OF FIRE, Tommy's story, is being released in bookstores near you tomorrow, May 4! Next up is Captain Sean Tanner's story, RIDE THE FIRE, which will be released on December 7. Sean's story is five-hankie all the way, and I'll tell you guys right now that while writing one scene in particular, I sobbed my heart out! This book even choked up my editor. Fear not, though. Sean is due for his happy ending, and I promise you won't be disappointed!

Suz: And what's next for Jo Davis?

Jo, grinning excitedly: My next series for NAL is going to come as quite a surprise for some of my readers, so I hope they'll bear with me. We're going to move away from Sugarland, for a while anyway, and delve into a brand-new paranormal romance series! As much as I would love for Detective Shane Ford and the other boys at the PD to get their stories, my publisher is taking me in a new direction. I never say "never" when it comes to revisiting a series my readers want, but I think many readers will be excited by what's coming. I can't give away too much of the concept right now, but I will hint that a team of very hot, mouth-watering wolf shifters and one equally delicious Sorcerer/panther shifter are involved? Stay tuned for more news on the new series!

Jo:Now I want to know from the reader, do you enjoy reading paranormal romance and why? What is it about these heroes (whether they are shifters, vampires, demons, angels, etc.) and these series that continues to captivate readers?

Suz: Jo will be giving away a signed copy of LINE OF FIRE to one commenter today. Don't forget to visit Jo's website: http://www.jodavis.net/

76 comments:

Hi Jo, your new series sound great! I do read some paranormals and shifters are my favorite, although I do enjoy the vamps sometimes too! Also love to read about witches too. I think I just like them all! If its a book with romance I will read it!

Oooo hi Jo - thanks for visiting with us today! Love the sound of your stories -and as for your question, yes on paranormals, generally. I need to read a variety of genres, but I love their unique other wordly abilities, and how very feral they can be - in a sexy way. (Because that's kind of the point, right?) And I know this is shallow, but I love your covers! The art department did a great job.

As for paranormals, I think it's the combination of the known and fantasy that does it for me--when you add the element of special powers or a different sort of world, it makes the story and characters a special kind of escapist read, and that's why I pick up a book usually anyway.

I'm very much looking forward to your next firefighter and to your new series!

hi jo and suz! i love reading paranormals... they are something else and takes you out of the ordinary and into a whole different world. it's exciting and fun and sometimes unexpected and i really like that--i like being surprised in my romances.

Paranormal world building is so fun to read, and I'm always impressed by the different ways that authors come up with to bring their alternate realities to life. I really enjoy paranormals, so I'll be looking forward to your new series. :)

I ordered Line Of Fire the other day and am eagerly awaiting its arrival I can't wait to read it I have loved this series awesome.

I have only been reading paranormal for a couple of years and prefer shapeshifters to vampires so your new venture really makes me happy although I do hope you get to write the PD series one day. And why I love them I really am not sure but they pull me into the worlds they live in and they are so male and georgeous yummy.

I love shifters, too. I never imagined being able to write them, or paranormal at all, so when my editor and publisher asked me whether I'd be willing to write them, I jumped at the chance! I'm SO very excited!

I agree. I love paranormals where the heroes are powerful and protective. I think you might like my new Alpha Pack series. The guys are a team of black ops heroes who are wolf shifters with special abilities. I'm really psyched about getting into the first book!

I hope you love Tommy's story! His book was one I could not have written early on because I had to watch him grow from a boy into a man. I think he grew up nicely, too. :) I'm anxious to hear what readers think.

Thanks for the congrats on the new series. I hope I get to write the PD too one day, especially Shane Ford's story, but this new series is going to be lots of fun!

I'm happy Tommy's story is being released tomorrow! I hope you love him as much as I do. There's something about these guys that have stolen my heart. I have a good author friend who just moved to NYC and now she gets to ogle the firemen, lucky gal! :)

Great interview! I'm so looking forward to reading Tommy's story and Line of Fire. That is one hot cover! Your heroes are just...yummy. Congratulations on your new shapeshifters series, too. Can't wait to meet your paranormal heroes!

Hi PJ,Great to "see" you again! I'm SO happy you enjoyed Tommy's story! His story needed tissues, but Sean's will need the whole box. BTW, my editor said the end of Tommy's book gave her the chills. :)

The idea of shifters coming up are getting a very good response from my readers, and I'm looking foward to telling my heroes' stories!

Hi Jo, loved the last book, Line of Fire, looking forward to this one as well! Also Sean's story, can't wait, will stuff him under the Xmas tree!

I love paranormal! The heroes are so dark, tortured, usually with some paranormal malady (like shape shifting, vamp, etc) to add to the tragic mix, it is just too irresistible for words. And these guys usually are highly sensual with stamina in spades, LOL!

Your firefighters are yummy. I do enjoy reading about men in uniforms. I enjoy reading paranormal as well as contemporary romance. A paranormal needs romance for me to enjoy it. I like shifters, vampires and werewolves because they are usually powerful, charismatic and fearless. I also like the fantasy part. I know I will enjoy your paranormals when you publish them.

Hi Jo,Congrats on the new release. Can't wait to read Tommy and Shea's story. I'm hoping you'll get to write Shane's story someday soon. I do enjoy paranormals, especially the ghost and shifter stories. I think it's entertaining to read about these non or half humans who have these extraordinary powers.

Jo, welcome back! I love paranormals. I tend to prefer magic or psionic abilities to shifters or vampires. I like the broader story possibilities of those "extra" powers, I suspect, and I've always loved super-heroes though I've never analyzed the reasons too closely.

Fedora, sounds as though you and I both like that added layer the powers add to a paranormal story. I should also add that I like what the powers can do to a character, too, what problems they can raise and challenges they can pose.

Laurie, I've enjoyed Lori Handeland's Doomsday series a lot. I also warm to paranormal characters who use their abilities to protect others--the whole "might for right" thing I find so attractive in the Camelot legends.

Gannon, we were walking down a sidewalk in NYC, and the firefighters were hanging outside the station--really seriously cute guys. *sigh*

Now that you mention dark, I'm thinking that had something to do with the lure of paranormals for me. What's a hero without a villain? That's why, I've heard, writing Superman is such a challenge. Heroism comes from being pushed, and it's hard to get someone who can push Superman.

And I think paranormals, in turn, helped push me over to the dark side.

Tempting though it would be to just blame Anna Campbell and be done with it. *g*

Hi Anna,Thanks so much! I'm excited about the new series and hope readers embrace it. I think it has some really cool elements mixed with the shifting abilities that readers haven't seen before, and I can't wait to get going on it. :)

Well, I finally got home from Ohio and the airport! So sorry I missed the whole day of chatting with Jo and her firefighters, (couldn't be helped as my daddy had surgery and I'd gone home to help mama with him), but it looks like y'all took good care of Jo and her boys while I was in transit!

I always look forward to yourvisits, especially with all thosemagnificent covers and even moregorgeous firefighters! I don't if my heart is going to be ableto handle these next books! It maytake more than a box of tissues!Thanks for giving us Station Five!

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September Releases

Still Available

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Donna MacMeans, Trish Milburn, and Nancy Northcott will all be in Atlanta for the Moonlight and Magnolias conference in Decatur, Georgia September 30 through October 2nd. If you're in the area, stop by for the booksigning. We'd love to see you.

Redeeming the Rogue by Donna MacMeans received a 4.5 star TOP PICK! review from Romantic Times Magazine.

Living in Color by Trish Milburn is now available on Kindle, Smashwords and at barnesandnoble.com for the Nook.